Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – On the heels of the 2025 Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta, Brent Pry and the Hokies will welcome another SEC opponent in Vanderbilt to open the home season on Saturday. The matchup, which promises to feature a quarterback duel between Tech’s Kyron Drones and returning Commodores starter Diego Pavia, will be one fans won’t want to miss when the game tips off at 7:30 p.m. Here’s What to Watch for throughout this weekend’s exciting SEC/ACC showdown in Lane Stadium.
Home Is Where the Heart Is
It’s no secret that the raucous crowd of 65,632 fans in Lane Stadium can impact the outcome of a game. Hokie Nation’s support, however, isn’t felt more than in the first home game of the season.
Tech football enters Saturday’s contest with a nine-game winning streak in home openers. The trend, which is punctuated by 2021’s thrilling upset of then-No. 10 North Carolina, is a testament to not only the way in which the Blacksburg faithful show up for their team, but the excitement that surrounds the Hokies each and every year.
Compounded with the success at home is the fact that the Hokies have won three straight contests against Vanderbilt when in Blacksburg, most recently shutting out the Commodores 18-0 on Nov. 4, 1989. If the Hokies can tap into the same at-home glory the team has enjoyed for the better part of the last decade, an already illustrious win streak could become even more special on Saturday.
Fans should also be sure to make ample preparations for the Maroon Effect showdown this weekend. Be sure to don your favorite maroon Hokie gear and cheer on the Hokies when they face the Commodores in front of a sold-out crowd Saturday!
Down in the Trenches
Last week’s matchup against South Carolina saw a defensive line, anchored by Kemari Copeland, and captain Kelvin Gilliam Jr., stand out through four quarters of action. Experienced lineman under first-year defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes and defensive line coach J.C. Price continued to disrupt the Gamecocks’ offensive line, including but not limited to redshirt freshman Emmett Laws’ safety in the first quarter.
When looking at the game against Vanderbilt this Saturday, the Hokies’ defensive front is slated to have another advantageous matchup. While Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea and the Commodores have retooled their offensive line this season with experience from the transfer portal, there’s a lack of synergetic playing time between the group that Tech can exploit.
Getting after Vanderbilt’s offensive line is paramount to disrupting Commodores playcaller Pavia. At 6-foot, 207 pounds, the former New Mexico State quarterback relies heavily on a dual-threat approach, either throwing downfield or escaping the pocket with his speed. However, the Hokies know this, especially after Pavia led Vanderbilt in passing (190) and rushing (104) yards in the 2024 contest. With a good amount of film from last year’s game combined with returning presence in the trenches (Copeland, Burgos and Gilliam Jr. all featured a season ago), the Hokies bring experience to the matchup on Saturday.
The Grass is Always Greene-r
Of the Hokies on the offensive side of the ball this past weekend, wide receivers Ayden Greene and Donovan Greene were some of the most productive. The former hauled in five passes for 71 receiving yards, while the latter led the team with 94 of the Hokies’ 336 offensive yards. The two wideouts made up a short list of receivers who tallied more than 70 yards between both squads, the only other being South Carolina’s Nyck Harbor Jr. (99).
Donovan Greene is a point of intrigue as the Hokies welcome Vanderbilt this weekend. His 42-inch vertical jump, as measured and reported in Bruce Feldman’s preseason “Freaks List” ranking, supports the idea that Greene could shine this weekend amongst Vanderbilt’s secondary.
Additionally, Ayden Greene is someone Hokie fans should keep an eye on. With two years of experience under wide receiver coach Fontel Mines, Greene is familiar with playing under the bright lights of Lane Stadium. When the Commodores are faced with the tidal wave of fans clad in maroon this weekend, Greene’s experience will likely play a big role in his success.